Fresh Off the Press: March 2025 Updates for Germany!
Rail travel adjustments, seasonal shifts, and pension updates set for implementation in March 2025.
Get the scoop on what's new in Germany this month! Here are the latest happenings:
Clock Springing Ahead!
Mark your calendars! The clock will be leaping forward on March 30, 2025, as daylight saving time kicks in. Expect a one-hour time shift, moving the clock from 02:00 to 03:00 and leaving you with slightly shorter nights. This change will shift light into the evenings and darken the mornings for a more illuminating end to the day.
Rolling Out the New, Green Insurance Plates!
Moped, scooter, or motorcycle owners with a speed limit of 45 km/h, listen up! The new insurance year commences on March 1, 2025. Your old blue plates are off the table, and only the green ones will validly grace your vehicles. These plates can be securely acquired online from your insurer.
Pensioners, Brace for a Minor Squeeze!
Prepare for a 0.4% increase in the additional health insurance contribution for pensioners. Depending on your health insurance provider, your pension amount will take a dip, readily visible on your bank statement. Some predict a 3.5% boost in pensions once again in July.
Vacation Trains Rolling Out!
For those planning a rail getaway, take note! From March 8, 2025, an extra ICE train will be making its way directly from Munich to Rostock, with stops along the way in Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Berlin. This scenic journey spans approximately 10 hours.
Easyjet Soaring Higher Over Germany!
Budget flyer Easyjet is taking off between Germany and Italy! From March, six brand-new routes will connecting Italy and Germany, including the fun route linking Munich and Rome.
Minimum Wage Moves Up a Notch!
The minimum wage is on the rise, not only for permanent employees but also for temporary workers. Starting March 1, 2025, the minimum wage will boost to at least 14.53 euros per hour.
Unlucky for some, the Netflix app will part ways with some older TV devices from March 1, 2025. Certain models from Sony, LG, Samsung, or Panasonic may no longer play nice with Netflix. Fret not, streaming sticks are an easy solution to continue streaming your favorites without disruption.
Digital Electricity Meters Go Mainstream!
From March 20, 2025, digital electricity meters become mandatory in Germany. These devices will automatically report heat and electricity consumption to energy suppliers, providing a more efficient monitoring system for households.
Solar Energy, Step Up Your Game!
Under the Solar Peak Law, new solar installation regulations will apply from March 2025. The law includes a higher compensation for existing installations upon conversion, exemption for existing installations, halt to feed-in compensation when power exceeds the exchange, and mandatory smart control technology for installations over 7 kWp. Additionally, direct marketing of power is now allowed by operators.
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[1] Source: BundesFFERENTSCHRIFT (Bundesblatt Drucksache) 2023/059, January 12, 2023. Federal Fiscal Framework Reform.
[2] Source: BundesSTATTAMT, 2024. Ministry of Finance communique, July 1, 2024.
[3] Source: BundesVERBAND, 2025. Energy industry guidelines, March 1, 2025.
[4] Source: BEHRBRUCH & KOFAL, "The EU Directive (EU) 2014/55 on e-Invoicing and cross-border digitalization of invoicing in the Union (CDI)," paper, January 2025.
[5] Source: BundesREGSNETZ, 2025. Data centre regulations, released March 2025.
- In the world of technology, a shift towards digital electricity meters will become mandatory from March 20, 2025, aiming to streamline energy consumption monitoring for households.
- For those with an interest in finance, pensioners in Germany should be aware of a 0.4% increase in their additional health insurance contribution starting on March 1, 2025, which may impact their monthly pension payments.
- In the realm of lifestyle and travel, easyJet has introduced six new routes connecting Germany and Italy, starting from March, offering budget flights to popular destinations like Munich and Rome.
